Tag Archives: Emma Ross

The Borrowdale Collection by The Fibre Company

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I am thrilled to have a design in the newly released Borrowdale Collection by The Fibre Company. Stonethwaite is knitted in Lore, a new yarn made of 100% lambswool with 250 meters/273 yards per 100 gram skein in Stable using a 4 mm/US 6 needle. I am sure you recognise the model by her stunning red hair, yes, it is Emma Ross photographed by Tommy Martin in Borrowdale Valley in the Lake District in England. “Stonethwaite is a richly cabled sweater that you’d wear proudly for many years to come. Knitted in Lore, it features a lattice of intricately woven cables down the front, back and sleeves. The sweater is knitted in pieces and seamed for stability and strength.” The pattern comes in 6 sizes; Bust (at underarm once seamed): 99: 104: 111: 117: 127: 137 cm (39.5: 42: 44.5: 47: 51: 55 in).

Here is the introduction to the Collection: “Take a trip to the Borrowdale Valley, one of the most idyllic places in England and the backdrop for our stunning new collection. Showcasing the work of 16 exceptionally talented designers, each piece in Borrowdale is designed using our glorious new yarn for Autumn 2018, Lore. These garments and accessories are designed for everyday adventures; to be thrown on with your favourite pair of jeans and hiking boots, or wrapped up in as you snuggle on the sofa. We hope you’ll be inspired to cast on something lovely and remember this special place in the Lake District.”

My design is the result of an accepted design submission I sent back in November. The gorgeous cable is one I discovered awhile back but had not used before. I am in fabulous designer company: Kari-Helene Rane; Holli Yeoh; Sarah Hatton and Mary-Anne Benedetto, just to mention a few. The Fibre Company has made an enchanting video from their photoshoot which you can see on YouTube. Each of the garments in this collection has been photographed on several different models so you can see more photos of this on Ravelry and where you can buy the pattern at www.thefibreco.com. Take a look and be inspired here: Borrowdale Collection.

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Photoshoot at Villa Malla: Tau

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Last in the series of photographs taken at our photoshoot at Villa Malla, are these of the scarf Tau made for the Wool 2 Go magazine for Vienna Wool & Design Festival 2017. Here is the gorgeous Emma Ross wearing Tau as a shawl around her shoulders with hair & makeup by Sissel Fylling and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne at Villa Malla in late May. The building in the back is the Filtvet Lighthouse by the Oslo Fjord. This first photo shows the wrong side of the cable, while the second photo shows the right side. Yes, the scarf is reversible.

The teal colour in this luscious Yak yarn instantly captivated me and I designed this scarf for the Vienna Wool & Design Festival in 2017. A rope like cable worked over rib stitches gives it a sculptural feel. Naturally, I named it Tau meaning rope in Norwegian, and human being in an Eskimo language.

Tau is knitted in Lang Yarns, Yak made of 50% yak, 50% wool in 50 grams balls with 130 meters/142 yards using a 4.5 mm/US 7 needle. The sample is knitted in Teal 772.0074 and takes 4 balls for the one size scarf. You can easily make the scarf wider by adding pattern repeats or making a wider reverse stockinette stitch edge in each side. The outer edge stitches make an I-cord, hence they are slipped with the yarn in front on every second row.

The English pattern will shortly be available in my Ravelry store, while the Norwegian pattern will be printed in Høststrikk/Autumn Knits by Familien launched on the 24th September in Norway.

Thank you to my team for another amazing photoshoot. I am working on designs for the next one.

I am off to Mallorca tomorrow for a one week holiday with my mum, so there will be no blogpost on Wednesday. It is 31 years since I last visited Mallorca to attend the Star Tour’s Guide School. I am excited to be going back.

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Photoshoot at Villa Malla: Merino Wrap Vest

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Hand dyed Tosh Sock yarn in a divine blue would look fabulous on model Emma Ross, I thought and decided to re-photograph the Merino Wrap Vest from my Norwegian knitting book. Photographer Eivind Røhne brilliantly captured the best moments from Em, and I knew I had made the right decision. As always Sissel Fylling made sure that Em’s hair and makeup was impeccable. Statement jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design added a touch of class to the outfit. Em did not need the Merino Wrap Vest on the blistering hot day in May at Villa Malla. You can see that for yourself here; Behind the Scenes 2nd Photoshoot at Villa Malla. Do check out the people sunbathing on the beach. I have revised the English pattern and sent it off to my Technical Editor Kristen TenDyke, before I release it. The Norwegian pattern will be published in a special magazine by Familien called Høststrikk/Autumn Knits out on 24th. September in Norway.Inspired by Tinde Knits gorgeous designs by Norwegian designer Iselin Hafseld is this vest knitted sideways in Tosh Sock hand dyed yarn with Indian crosses. The vest can be used upside down for a smaller collar and a longer vest. Drape it as you please and pin it together.

You will never guess who actually knitted this sample for me. It is knitted by no other than the co-founder and editor of Pom Pom Quarterly: Meghan Fernandes, who used to be my colleague at the yarn store Loop in London several years ago. And yes, I did work together with the other co-founder and editor Lydia Gluck too. We have teamed up again and you will see the result later this autumn.

Tosh Sock is made of 100% merino wool, with 361 meters/395 yards on each 100 gram skein. It is categorised as a fingering/4 ply yarn but feels closer to a sport weight. I choose the shade Baltic which has been discontinued but can be replaced by Esoteric or any other shade you prefer. Merino Vest wrap is knitted with a gauge og 24 stitches and 36 rows in Indian cross stitch using 3 mm/US 2.5 needle over 10 cm/4″.The vest wrap is knitted sideways in one rectangular piece with shaped armholes. It comes in one size so to make the vest longer, add pattern repeats of 6 stitches at left side of work (end of RS row) before the border stitches. The finished measurements are 74 cm/29.25″ wide and 112 cm/44″ long. As you can see, I did find it difficult to pick which photographs I liked the best, so I ended up selecting more than I had planned.  Yet another proof that my team is the best and know me too well. Next and last in this series is the scarf Tau made for Vienna Wool Design Festival and their Wool 2 Go magazine.

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Photoshoot at Villa Malla: Free Falling Pullover

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Free Falling Pullover was first published in Interweave Knits Fall 2017 and the sample came back to me from Colorado in the US, early this spring, in time for my photoshoot at Villa Malla in late May. As always it suited model Emma Ross beautifully. I styled it with black pencil pants and Camilla Skovgaard shoes in black, in addition to Kaja Gjedebo’s stunning Queen Creole Earrings. We photographed this pullover after lunch, close to the gallery on the path to the beach. Villa Malla offers a delicious buffet lunch, which is perfect for us since we do not need to wait for the food, despite planning a bit beforehand when to have lunch (read: whenever Em gets hungry). Sissel Fylling always does a quick retouch of hair and makeup after lunch. So she did that while photographer Eivind Røhne moved his gear to the path with Michael’s help. I do have a brilliant team!

The Free Falling Pullover showcases unique and wandering cables, feminine shaping and casual appea. This fitted pullover has two travelling central cables, that are divided by seed stitch and framed by stockinette stitch on the sides. The boat neck is modified by the short-row shaping on the shoulder and ends in an i-cord bind off.

I knitted the pullover in Sugar Bush Yarns, Crisp – a lovely 100% superwash merino woo with 87 meters/95 yards on each 50 gram ball – using 4 mm/US 6 with a gauge of 20 stitches and 28 rows in stockinette stitches measures 10 cm/4″ square.

The pullover is worked back and forth in separate pieces and seamed. There are two mirrored cable panels on back and front but only one on the sleeve. Increases in to the center Seed stitch panel move the cable panels on the body towards the shoulders. Accompanying decreases are done in the stockinette sides, in addition to the extra waist shaping.

Em is wearing size S which measures 87.5 cm/34.5 cm around bust. The pullover is available in sizes XS to 2XL with bust circumferences of 77.5 to 128 cm/30.5 to 50.5″. The English pattern is coming very shortly to my Ravelry store and to Loveknitting, while the Norwegian pattern will be printed in the special magazine Høststrikk/Autum Knits published by Familien which will be available in Norway 24. September.

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Photoshoot at Villa Malla: Lofn

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I knew red would look marvellous on model Emma Ross. This particular red has a grey core and is a wonderful pelt wool from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk called Sølje. The pullover Lofn is the last of four new designs made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk and the Norwegian pattern and yarn kit will be launched at Oslo Design Fair at the end of August. The English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group, beginning in mid October before it is released. Lofn is Norse for praise. This pullover is praising texture with its sideways voluptous cables and welt pattern that works like a rib. The upper part is picked up andknitted in Fisherman’s Rib and increased into top part of sleeve, while the bottom part of sleeve is knitted separately. Photographer Eivind Røhne brilliantly captured this moment at Villa Malla in late May. Sissel Fylling styled Em’s hair and makeup. The statement jewellery is by Kaja Gjedebo Design and the ankle boots by Monica Stålvang.The sample is brilliantly knitted by Grete Jenssen in size S using 3 mm/US 2.5 needle but with a bottom width of 80 cm/31.5″ instead of 92 cm/36.25″ and height of 25 cm/9.75″ instead of 30 cm/11.75″ due to a tight gauge. However, it did fit Em perfectly. Lofn will be available in sizes S (M, L, XL, 2XL) with a bottom width of 92 to 132 cm/36.25 to 52″ and a wingspan (without the lower sleeve) of 71 to 91 cm/28 to 35.75″.

The body is knitted in four parts with cables and welt pattern on the bottom part and Fisherman’s rib on the upper part. Increases are made in each side of the upper part for top of sleeve part. Bottom sleeves are worked flat separately. If you want to shorten or lengthen the sweater, adjust the height of the lower panel, adjust the stitch number in Welt pattern and allow more yarn. Lofn was the last of the new designs we photographed at Villa Malla. I also decided to photograph three old designs: The Free Falling Pullover returned from Interweave, The Tau Scarf returned from Vienna Wool & Design Festival as well as the Merino Omslagsvest/Merino Wrap Around Vest from my Norwegian knitting book. So stay tuned to see how these photos turned out. But next on my blog I will show you two new designs to be released on Thursday 2nd August in the Interweave Knits Fall 2018 issue.

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Photoshoot at Villa Malla: Irpa

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I knew that model Emma Ross did not need to wear a wool cardigan on top of the Sigyn wool dress at Villa Malla in the sweltering heat at the end of May, but I did want to show how well they work together. Photographer Eivind Røhne knew my plan and captured these brilliant photos after Sissel Fylling had finished perfecting Em’s hair & makeup. The accessories are also of Norwegian design: Jewellery is by Kaja Gjedebo Design and the ankle boots are by Monica Stålvang. Michael was ready to hold the large reflector but did not need to hold it in the end. I was making sure that all sides of Irpa was photographed and also wanted Em to wear a pair of pencil trouser beneath instead of the dress to show off its versatility. The Norwegian pattern and yarn kit will be launched by Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk at Oslo Design Fair at the end of August, while the English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group beginning on the 12th of November before it is released.Irpa is Norse for dark brown and suited this long oversized cardigan with a v-neck and a slight shaping for waist. Pine cable cover the center back, while only one pattern repeat adorns the fronts and sleeve. A wide rib makes this casual jacket a perfect extra layer to the Sigyn dress.

Kristin Nygård, aka Quiltefeen on both Ravelry and Instagram knitted the beautiful sample in size Small for me, while I was working on another project you will see later this autumn. Irpa is knitted in the  luscious and bounce Tinde – a breed specific Norwegian pelt wool – from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk using a 3.5 mm/US 4 needle with a gauge of 21 stitches and 30 rows in stockinette stitch measuring 10 cm/4″ square. The button band is knitted using a 3 mm/US 2.5 needle. The sample has 11 buttons with a diameter of 20 mm/0.78″.

The cardigan is knitted in pieces and seamed. The second part of the v-neck decreases on the fronts moves to the opposite side of the cable in order for the cable to continue to the shoulder.

I have graded the dress from sizes S to 2XL, with a bust circumference of 110 to 154 cm/43.25 to 60.75″. Next out in this series is the last of the new designs: Lofn.

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Photoshoot at Villa Malla: Sigyn

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Model Emma Ross’ favourite garment of the ten designs to be photographed at Villa Malla, was the dress, Sigyn made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. It was cloudy when Em, Michael and I met up with photographer Eivind Røhne and makeup & hair artist Sissel Fylling in the morning at Filtvet by the Oslo Fjord in late May. I decided to style Sigyn with Evalina boots by Monica Stålvang and borrowed jewellery from Kaja Gjedebo Design. In addition I wanted to show the dress with a belt and also beneath the long jacket Irpa. The Norwegian pattern and kit will be launched at Oslo Design Fair at the end of August, while the English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group beginning on the 10th of September before it is released.

Sigyn is Norse for victorious girl-friend and ideal for this a-line dress with a central swing cable, surrounded by ribbing to make it figure hugging. The cable is divided and moves towards the shoulder to make a v-neck at the front. Decreases are made in the purl sections to emphasize the silhouette of Sigyn. The dress is knitted in the bouncy Sølje from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

The dress was perfectly knitted by Grete Jenssen, aka ma9 on Ravelry in the shade Grass Green using a 3 mm/US 2.5. Grete knitted size S with 28 stitches gauge due to the time pressure (instead of 24 stitches) hence the sample measures 88 cm/34.75″ across the bust instead of 94 cm/37″. I have graded the dress in sizes XS to 2XL, with bust circumference of 88 to 130 cm/34.75 to 51.25″.

The dress is worked back and forth in pieces and seamed. The decreasing for a-line is done in the purl sections of the rib. The cables are moved towards the shoulder on the front, beginning 10 cm/4″ before the armhole and ending just before the neck shaping. The swing cable is the same I used on the sweater Vaga and found in Norah Gaughan’s inspiring Knitted Cable Sourcebook.

You can easily adjust the length of the dress if you prefer, for instance by shortening (or lengthening) it with up to 7 cm/2.75″ before the a-line shaping begins. For a tunic, reduce the length with a further 17 cm/6.75″ by working 1 cm/0.5″ less between each of the decreases.

Here is the cool shot of the Irpa jacket worn on top of the Sigyn dress. More photos of the jacket is coming next in this series.

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Photoshoot at Villa Malla: Var

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I have been looking forward to showing you the photos of the Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk designs taken at Villa Malla in late May. It look more like the Greek island of Santorini than Filtvet with the Oslo Fjord in the background due to the heat and the white wall that surrounds the upper terrace at the restaurant. I certainly get a holiday feel just being there and would have like to have the opportunity to stay for a few days. My plan for the day was to start photographing the warmest garment; the dress Sigyn, since it was bound to get even hotter during the day. Photographer Eivind Røhne agreed. Var was the next since it had to be photographed together with the Hillesvåg garments. While Sissel Fylling was doing Emma Ross’ hair and makeup, Eivind and I decided to use the upper terrace as background for the second time around, like we did in June 2016. Just as last time, I borrowed jewellery from Kaja Gjedebo Design. The Norwegian pattern and yarn kit will be launched at Oslo Design Fair at the end of August, while the English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group in September before its release.

Pine cables play on the center of this oversized vest, named Var, Norse for beloved. The side panels – giving the vest a dropped shoulder appearance – are knitted sideways in broken rib and is divided from the cable pattern with a tuck as well as a reverse stocking stitch band. Var ends in an I-cord bind off around the shallow neck. The vest is knitted in the luscious pelt wool yarn Tinde from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. Em is wearing size XS/S, but I have graded it to include M/L and XL/2XL too. The finished bust measurement with the side panels is 156 (172, 188) cm/61.5 (67.75, 74)” and the length is 55 (57, 59) cm/21.75 (22.5, 23.25)”. The vestis knitted in two parts, then the stitches are picked up along the side. Size M/L has a wider side panel but the same center panel as size XS/S. Size XL/2XL has a wider center panel with one extra cable repeat.

The center panels are knitted by English knitter Jean Molloy, who also knitted a garment for my Norwegian knitting book back in 2011, using 3 mm/US 2.5 for the rib (and tuck) and 3.5 mm/US 4 for the cable pattern. The gauge is 21 stitches and 30 rows in stockinette stitch measures 10 cm/4″ square. I knitted the tuck, then the side panels after I had sewn the shoulders together. Var is styled with a black silk shirt and black pencil pants. Next in this series is the dress, Sigyn!

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Barra Pattern Released

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The last of the autumn 2017 designs made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk; Barra, has been test knitted and released. Thank you to my test knitters for correcting and improving the pattern. You can see three of the finished jackets on the pattern page, one has been made into a shorter version and more versions will come. The sample jacket was beautifully worn by Emma Ross, with makeup & hair by Sissel Fylling and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, and captured by Eivind Røhne at Bøler Church last autumn.

Elaborate spear cables run like a spine on the back of this long jacket before they are moved towards the shoulder at the top. At the front one cable follow the line along the v-neck. The sleeve has a spear cable running around it at the bottom, before the upper part is knitted in the round in stockinette stitch. The a-line cardigan is named Barra – Celtic for spear.

Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL)

Finished Measurements:
Bust: 84 (91, 98, 106, 116, 126) cm/33 (35.75, 38.5, 41.75, 45.75, 49.5)“
Hip: 104 (112, 118, 126, 136, 146) cm/41 (44, 46.5, 49.5, 53.5, 57.5)”
Length: 79.5 cm/31.25”
Sleeve Length: 49 (50, 50, 51, 51, 52) cm/19.25 (19.75, 19.75, 20, 20, 20.5)“

Yarn: Hillesvåg, Hifa Sølje (100% pelt yarn, 350 m/383 yds, 100 g). The sample is knitted in Light Brown 2102:
4 (4.5, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6) skeins: 1360 (1470, 1555, 1665, 1803, 1941) m/1487 (1607, 1700, 1820, 1971, 2122) yds.
https://www.ull.no/produktkategori/garn/ullgarn/nyhet-sol…

Yarn alternatives: Cascade 220 Sport (100% wool, 50 g, 150 m/164 yds).
http://www.cascadeyarns.com/cascade-Cascade220Sport.htm
Tosh Sock (100% wool, 100 g, 361 m/394 yds).
http://madelinetosh.com/tosh-sock/
Berroco Cosma (60% alpaca, 30% wool, 10% silk, 50 g, 150 m/164 yds).
http://www.berroco.com/yarns/berroco-cosma
Or another Sport/5 ply or Fingering 4/ply yarn.

Needles:
3 mm/US 2.5 circular needle (80 cm/32” and 40 cm/16”).
2.5 mm/US 1.5 circular needle (120 cm/48”) for frontband.
3 mm/US 2.5 DPNs.
Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

Notions: 10 buttons (15 mm/0.52”), stitch markers, stitch holders, cable needle and yarn needle.

Gauge: 24 sts and 34 rows/rnds in st st measures 10 cm/4” square.
Barra Cable (12-sts) measures 5.5 cm/2.25” across.
Barra Cable (50-rows) measures 14 cm/5.5” high.

Notes: The body is worked flat in pieces, unlike the long sleeves which are worked in the round after the sideways cable panel cuff to the armhole. Stitches are picked up along right side of the cuff for the top sleeve.

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Photoshoot at Villa Malla: Sirona

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Sirona, was another pullover that looked magnificent on Emma Ross at Villa Malla in late May. Photographer Eivind Røhne made sure we did not have any women in bikinis’ in the background and captured all these brilliant shots. Yes, I did struggle to minimise the number of chosen photographs. Sissel Fylling made sure Em’s hair & makeup was up to scratch and suggested a number of poses to Em. The statement jewellery is by Kaja Gjedebo Design and the boots are by Monica Stålvang. Sirona is Celtic for Star Goddess, the name for this fitted pullover with an intricate central cable surrounded with smaller cables and seed stitch. The round neckline needed a crown and was given an I-cord bind off decoration. Sirona is knitted in pieces in the divine The Fibre Co. Cumbria.

I knitted this sample in the St. Bees Beach colourway of The Fibre Co. Cumbria using 3.5 mm/US 4 and 4 mm/US 6 needles with a gauge of 20 stitches and 28 rows in stockinette stitch measures 10 cm/4″ square. The yarn is made of 60% Merino wool, 30% Brown Masham wool, 10% Mohair, with 218 meters/238 yards on each 100 gram skein.

Yes, Cumbria has become one of my staple yarns. This is the third pullover I have designed in this yarn. Vaga was the previous one and the first one was Eira Pullover made for knit.wear Fall/Winter 2017. Eira Pullover has been returned from Interweave to me and will be photographed again in my next photoshoot.

Sirona is worked back and forth in pieces and seamed. The neckband is worked in the round. Stitches are picked up and knitted from the first round of the neckband for the I-cord bind off decoration. Em is wearing size S, but I have graded the pullover from sizes XS to 2XL with a bust & hip circumference of 86 to 126 cm/33.75 to 49.5″. Waist circumference from 76 to 116 cm/30 to 41.75″.

The Norwegian pattern will be published in a special magazine by Familien released in August, while the English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group beginning 6th of August before its release.

I did wonder whether I should use the brown ski pants or the navy blue silk trousers together with Sirona, but opted for the silk trousers in the end since it is a fitted pullover. Next in this series from the photoshoot is the vest Var made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

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